COLLIDED WITH VAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 214, 11 September 1939, Page 9

COLLIDED WITH VAN.

CYCLIST FATALLY INJURED,

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

A verdict that deceased died from injuries suffered when lie accidentally collided with a stationary motor vehicle in Symoiids Street, was returned to-day at an inquest held by the coroner. Mr. F. Iv. Hunt, into the de-ith of Cyril ■Sidney Clarke, freezing works employee, who died in the Auckland Hospital 011 .luly 8. He was a married man, aged 27. and lived at No. 2. Braeniar Terrace, Mount Albert. Senior-Sergeant Galwell ap(>eared for the police. Mr. I. J. Goldstine for the owners of the van, and Mr. L. P. Learv ior relatives of deceased.

The evidence showed that the deceased bad been riding his bicycle to work about 4.40 a.m. on duly 8 when he collided with a motor van which had been parked by Robert Hermann Gollan outside his residence at 121. Synionds Street. The crash was heard by two witnesses, who found deceased lying under "tile van bleeding from an injury to the head. There were no lights on the parked van. The St. John ambulance took deceased to the hospital.

Robert Hermann Gollan. part-owner with his brother of the van, said he had been parking the van in Symonds Street at night for about 10 or 11 months. He did not leave a light burn-

The coroner remarked that the witness had no right to park the van there. Tt was a dangerous thing to do at night.

Constable O. Bartlett said that lie examined tlie van and deceased'* bicycle on .Tiilv !> and found in tlif bell of the cycle a elilp of wood, which had on it paint similar to that rn the tailboard of the van. The wood was also similar.

Deceased's injuries included a compound fracture of the skull.